If you tune in to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show tonight, be prepared for a change of tone in the advertisements. Gone will be the usual ads focused on homeless dogs, sad and desperate for adoption, in will be commercials portraying happy, vibrant dogs at work and play -- all types of dogs: show dogs, working dogs, rescue dogs, purebreds, mutts, therapy dogs, you name it.
The reason for this change in tone has to do with a switch in sponsorship. The previous sponsor, Pedigree, chose to focus its advertisements almost entirely on the plight of shelter dogs -- not exactly the "celebration of dogs" that Westminster is all about -- a discordant relationship that eventually led to them being dropped by Westminster. Quoth David Frei, Westminster spokesman and television host:
“Show me an ad with a dog with a smile. Don’t try to shame me,’’ he said. “We told them that and they ignored us.’’
Purina has stepped in as sponsor, and says their ads will be much more balanced and positive in tone. Expect much playing, chasing, licking, and joy from this year's advertising dogs, a tone that is much more in line with the spirit of celebration. This looks like a big win for both Purina and Westminster, an infinitely better fit all around.
sounds like they are more for the breeders of those same dogs that end up killed in shelters on a daily basis.
Posted by: Ann | 02/13/2012 at 04:10 PM
No, Ann, it sounds like they are for OWNERS that work and play with their dogs and would never drop them off at a shelter.
Posted by: Elin | 02/14/2012 at 01:27 PM
Show dogs are happy.
Shelter dogs -homeless, sick, neglected, abandoned, abused, dumped, until they are rescued to a loving home, are broken. Good for Pedigree and their help for the ones people don't want to know about. By the way, I buy Pedigree, and I've seen happy faces on their packaging.
Visit an animal shelter or pound and you'll get the best of what dogs are, but that's what people just can't seem to do.
Posted by: Betty Weakland | 02/14/2012 at 06:49 PM
I have to say.....seeing what I and many rescuers do every day is not for the general public to understand or see. When I tell stories I see disgusted and pure horror in folks eyes sometimes, but I have been doing this 15 years now, have had my own rescue 2 years now. People do want to know what happened to a dog, but befores and afters are the most effective ways, in my opinion. Plus that shows how awesome of a rehab program you have. I do NOT support nor recommend anyone support bug companies like this, HSUS, ASPCA, etc...... Walk into a shelter and say here is a check, call a rescue and say where can I mail a check. These funds do not pay bill shit people's salaries; buy dog food, pay Vet bills, buy toys, etc for the animals before your eyes! A very small percentage of money donated to corporation gets trickled down the drain to the animals.
As far as Purina goes, they have a better product and support both show and rescue dogs. They have done so much for my dogs in 15 years I can't even begin to tell you. I know rescue who get small donations from Pedigree, but I know ones who get tens of thousands of dollars plus free dog food through the Pro Plan Rally to Rescue program. So I support the change.
Posted by: Mackinize Klima | 02/17/2012 at 07:01 AM
That is an important observation, Mackinze Klima. Lost in the hullabaloo of this shift is the fact that Purina is a big supporter of rescue dogs -- it's just that in their case, it's not the primary focus, but part of the entire package. From some of the coverage we've seen, you'd think Purina hates rescue dogs!
Posted by: National Animal Interest Alliance | 02/17/2012 at 07:22 AM